A new agenda for people living with HIV in the Nordics takes shape in Malmö

Representatives from the five HIV-Nordic member organisations, HIV-Sweden, HIV-Finland/Positiiviset, HIVNorway, HIV-Denmark and HIV-Iceland – met in Malmö on 25–27 September to exchange experiences and discuss the future direction of HIV work at the Nordic level.

A central theme was how we view and work with people living with HIV. Discussions explored approaches that strengthen people’s own agency and resources, empowering people to empower themselves, while placing greater emphasis on long-term health and a willingness to challenge established ways of thinking to drive progress.

A large part of the meeting was dedicated to a workshop on psychosocial support for people living with HIV, combining scientific perspectives with the experiences and realities of people living with HIV. The workshop explored salutogenic communication, agency, and the role, potential pitfalls and boundaries of community-based support. The meeting also welcomed two local organisations, Noaks Ark Mosaik and Positiva Gruppen Syd, which presented and discussed examples from their current work.

The meeting also marked the beginning of a broader revamp of HIV-Nordic. A new strategic plan is now in the works, alongside discussions on how to position and define HIV-Nordic’s role going forward. During the weekend, representatives also identified shared ambitions and priorities for the future and explored how Nordic cooperation can help drive change and improve life with HIV in the Nordic countries.

The central ambition is now to shape a new Nordic HIV agenda connecting past, present and future generations of people living with HIV, building on previous experiences and achievements while rethinking what it means to live well with HIV today and in the years ahead.